South Africa: More Steps Forward

December 28, 1991

The former Soviet Union isn`t the only place where political miracles are taking place. Take a look at South Africa.

In a country where hope seemed too much to ask for only a few short years ago, African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela and President F.W. de Klerk now seem well on their way toward cooperation in achieving an apartheid- free South Africa.

After numerous false starts and abandoned attempts at communication between the two leaders and the organizations they represent, a more consistent form of forward movement finally seems to be underway.

Such needed cooperation can`t possibly happen too soon. The illegitimacy and brutality of the apartheid system should never have been implemented to begin with, and as welcome as the recent positive developments are, they can`t help but be late.

Better late than never. A week ago today, Mandela felt confident enough about what had transpired at the two-day Convention for a Democratic South Africa that he publicly predicted the creation of a new South African constitution by next Christmas that would extend voting rights to all of the country`s 28 million disenfranchised black people.

President de Klerk said, ``We have achieved wonders in these few days.``

Before adjourning, the convention appointed five working groups to tackle concerns likely to impede progress. They are scheduled to report in February or March to the next session of the convention, which has emerged as the forum for the unfolding process of negotiations. Among the concerns:

-- Both sides want a new constitution giving voting rights to the black majority, creating a three-branch government and protecting the rights of individuals. The government favors special safeguards to protect whites and other minorities, the ANC wants a one-man, one-vote system.

-- The government insists it must remain in power during the talks and any subsequent transition to maintain order. The ANC wants an interim government, independent of the current white government.

-- The government insists only a free market system can solve the country`s huge economic problems. The ANC wants measures to help poor blacks to compensate for apartheid and says it favors some form of state economic intervention.

These are not minor concerns, but they are far from insurmountable. If the ANC and the South African government have been able to come this far this quickly, despite serious episodes of mistrust, violence, and even attempted sabotage, then whatever roadblocks that lie ahead can only be small potatoes.